Booklog: The Gradual Disappearance of Jane Ashland, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, Novelist as a Vocation, Creation Lake

The Gradual Disappearance of Jane Ashland – Nicolai Houm

An American woman wakes up alone in a tent amidst the Norwegian wilderness. Through a series of flashes forward and backwards we come to understand why. A beautiful study on loss and identity.

What I Talk About When I Talk About Running – Haruki Murakami

I am bang smack in the target market for this book: A keen runner and a fan of Haruki Murakami. It was unlikely I wasn’t going to enjoy this memoir of how running helps him to write. It delivered, in Murakami’s uniquely humble and personal voice. A lovely insight into the author, long distance running and glimpses on his approach to writing. Loved it.

Novelist As A Vocation – Haruki Murakami

A remarkably open and engaging series of essays on writing as a profession. Both general thoughts, such as on book awards, as well as very personal reflections on how Murakami approaches writing: Lots of rewriting and lots of running it would seem. Very enjoyable for any fan of novels or Murakami, ideally both.

Creation Lake – Rachel Kushner

Picked this up on a whim at the Trafalgar Square Waterstones and I did not regret it. A thought provoking, fresh and engaging tale of espionage. The female protagonist is some kind of spy/agent provocateur for hire tasked with undermining an environmental movement. Nothing goes quite as expected and you finish the book with lots to ponder. Which is the sign of a good book in my view.